Finch continues to show ability in long format

So proclaimed the late, great Fred Trueman in a comment embedded in cricketing history.

Trueman’s words came to mind yesterday as this nip-and-tuck contest neared its conclusion.

Nottinghamshire go into the final day on 102-2 in their second innings, a lead of 60, and the game could yet go either way.

Although 117.4 of a possible 288 overs have been lost to the weather, there is still the chance of a positive result.

Good weather is forecast for Headingley today (although that probably means it will hose it down) and Yorkshire are never frightened of trying to force a 
result.

Wickets have fallen regularly so far (although 16 double-figure scores have been achieved in a little over two completed innings, no one has yet recorded a half-century) and the pitch will only deteriorate further.

An intriguing denouement could yet be in prospect, one that could have an important bearing on the Championship race.

After only 9.3 overs were possible on day two, Yorkshire resumed on 76-2, a deficit of 129.

They lost their third wicket in the day’s fourth over; Jack Leaning, having played with commanding authority for 41, was bowled trying to drive pace bowler Luke Fletcher from the Rugby Stand end.

Yorkshire slipped to 95-4 when Gale was well taken at second slip by Samit Patel off Peter Siddle, the fielder seizing a sharp chance at shoulder height to his left.

Jonny Bairstow was fifth out when he clipped Andre Adams to Siddle at mid-wicket, and Yorkshire were in a spot of bother at 128-6, 77 behind, when Adil Rashid was held at first slip by Riki Wessels off Adams.

The home side needed someone to put together a partnership and they duly got that thanks to Aaron Finch and Tim Bresnan, who lifted them into lunch in a much healthier state at 183-6.

Finch, who has signed primarily in the hope of gaining first-class experience to improve his chances of playing Test cricket for Australia, again showed he has much to offer in this format after his encouraging debut at Northampton last week.

One cover driven boundary off Ajmal Shahzad was a stroke of high class, the former Yorkshire pace bowler having struggled to make an impact so far on his return to the club.

In a match in which neither side has seemed on top for too long, Nottinghamshire hit back when Bresnan fell to the second ball after lunch, edging Siddle to first slip after contributing 25 to a stand of 56 with Finch in 16 overs.

The pendulum swung back once more when Rich Pyrah – making his first Championship appearance for almost a year – provided further support to the admirable Finch.

It took a beauty to finally get rid of Finch, Samit Patel bowling him with a jaffa that ripped past the outside edge.

Finch scored 45 from 87 balls with five fours, his efforts helping Yorkshire into the lead.

That advantage was curtailed at 42 when Patel rounded off the innings by having Pyrah caught on the sweep by Siddle at deep-backward square-leg, having scored 45 from 46 balls with seven fours, followed by the wicket of Steve Patterson lbw for a duck.

Patel’s 3-13 from seven overs was a fine effort, although the pick of the bowlers was Siddle with 4-65.

Yorkshire thought they had Alex Hales caught down the leg-side off Jack Brooks when Nottinghamshire were 9-0 in their second innings.

But their frustration was temporary as Bresnan pinned Hales lbw with the total on 16, the batsman offering no stroke in an error of judgment.

Phil Jaques was undone by a beautiful ball from Patterson that bounced and took the outside edge on its way through to Bairstow, the former Yorkshire left-hander falling for 20 for the second time in the match.

Rain accounted for eight overs in the final session, but Nottinghamshire had the best of it when play resumed in bright sunshine at 6pm with 12.3 overs left. Michael Lumb, the former Yorkshire batsman, and James Taylor extended their third-wicket partnership to 72 through a combination of solid defence and sensible strokeplay.

Lumb battled through to 43, made from 106 balls with three fours and a six, while Taylor fought on to 27 from 74 balls with four fours.

Having been dismissed for 205 on the opening day, Nottinghamshire will feel they have recovered nicely. But there is still plenty of life in this contest.

Scoreboard: Page 22.